We've visited twice in the past two weeks, and both times confirmed this is the real deal for yakitori. First visit: we showed up late and were still greeted warmly. The food was excellent. Second visit was on a packed Friday around 8 pm. No reservation, so the host kindly took my number and asked us to come back around 9:30. We ran a few errands and returned around 9 pm to wait it out. Over the next half hour, three different staff members came out individually to check on me and reassure me a table would open up soon. We were finally seated close to 9:30, and they apologized again with complimentary liver pâté, a cucumber chicken salad, and drinks on the house. That level of hospitality, on a slammed Friday night, says a lot about how this place treats its guests. The food matched the service -- genuinely great. Do yourself a favor and book ahead, but even the wait is worth it. read more

The first thing I'll note is, I was treated to this visit by a friend after telling them about my Yakitori meal I enjoyed in Kyoto, and this place delivered skewers of similar quality to that experience in Japan. So they very much deliver on the quality and flavor. Great: -Excellent quality of ingredients and grilling by the craftsman at the grill. -The food has a great binchotan aroma, the house sauce/glaze is perfectly seasoned. -Immaculate cleanliness, the hood vents above the grill and glass in front of it are spotless which suggests cleaning after every service or similar. Not as great: -The oyakudon was TINY, the menu could have communicated the portion size better. I got a bigger bowl in the Japan yakiya, to stress how small it was. -Minimum of $80 USD per guests, either their omakaze which starts at $80 or a la carte ordering you need to get up to $80 worth minimum. -Our server did not seem familiar with the offerings and availability, she stumbled on questions, told a guest their favorite quail was available only to run back from the grilling chef to correct that it was not in stock. -It was not always easy getting the attention of a server. Other: We made an unplanned visit once and learned they do two seatings per evening and by reservation, a fair arrangement considering they need to prep and portion out skewers ahead of time but just know you can't walk up and expect to be seated. read more

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This authentic Japanese yakitori omakase restaurant had a very cool, intimate atmosphere. Everyone working there spoke Japanese, which made the experience feel reassuring and genuine. I had a lot of fun talking with the staff and learned many interesting things about Japan during the meal. The restaurant was extremely clean, quiet, and comfortable. I sat at the counter, where I had a clear view of the chefs carefully grilling and preparing each skewer right in front of me. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. I did not expect to eat chicken heart and liver, but trying them was a fun experience, and they were much more approachable than I expected. The entire menu focused on different parts of the chicken, with no other meats served, so this is definitely the place for anyone who loves chicken and wants to experience traditional yakitori. The set omakase menu included more than enough food, and I left feeling completely satisfied. A unique, enjoyable experience with excellent food and a peaceful Japanese atmosphere. read more

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Ok, I've been here about 3-4 times already and it's superb every time, from the customer service to the food. I don't know if they take walk-ins but reservations are highly recommended and it is done online. I went yesterday for DineLA and ended up not even partaking in the DineLA menu and did their regular omakase instead. The omakase course comes with 10 skewers already (and other appetizers, ramen or rice, and dessert) and we always end up ordering more skewers at the end. Thanks to our server last night, he recommended a "special skewer" and we got the last two; it was freaking amazing. I'll remember it and will have to order it every time I go. read more

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Went with Ala carte option ended up getting 23 items. Everything was good but the stars would be ginkawa(Gizzard skin) tsukune w/Ontama (chicken meatball with egg &sauce) Quail meat(drumstick) Nagaimo(mountain potato)Seseri(chicken neck skin) Momo(thigh) teba(wings) for fillers the Tori soba was the best of the 4 options read more

Sumibiyakitori Kidori - Food menu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

We did the 10-course yakitori omakase and it was a good amount of food. It was a good mix of chicken, innards and vegetables. For folks who are not into innards, they do offer alternatives so don't worry about missing out. The skewers are grilled well, had good flavor, and I love the condiment sampler. Ended up ordering more of the yuzu based condiment which packs a punch but really brings out the flavor of the skewers. Restaurant is small/ intimate and reservation only, although they werent full when we were there so a couple of lucky folks managed to snag walk in spots. Service was great. Recommended! read more

Very professional services by the chefs. Simply amazing yakitori. I know why people come back. The vibe is pretty chill. Servers are Professional, attentive and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

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Came here on a Wednesday with a friend to celebrate her birthday, and wow... this place seriously delivered. I found Sumibiyakitori Kidori on Instagram and was really curious about their all-chicken yakitori omakase. We did the 10-course for $80 per person, and it ended up being such a cool first yakitori omakase experience for me. Every course felt thoughtful and well-paced, and honestly, there wasn't a single skewer we didn't enjoy. Big shoutout to our server, Hirokazu. He was incredible the whole night. Super attentive, made sure we understood each dish, and kept everything running smoothly without ever feeling rushed. The vibe is intimate since it's reservation-only, which made it feel a lot more special and personal, especially for a birthday dinner. You can really tell they care about the experience, not just the food. Definitely planning to check out their sister spots next--Miyama (their more premium 8-seat omakase) and Sushi Kaisen. Heads up: it's in the JJ Bakery Plaza (where the old Din Tai Fung used to be), and I can see parking getting rough on weekends. Would 100% come back. read more

Sumibiyakitori Kidori - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Sumibiyakitori Kidori is an omakase yakatori that specializes in chicken. They use the charcoal grill to cook the dishes and also have other items that you can add on if you are still hungry after the omakase. I thought the flow of everything went pretty well. We came for dinner with a party of four and sat at the bar. This place isn't big but it is very proper and looks quite traditional in a Japanese style. I really liked the way they made the chicken skin and the porridge at the end which was delicious! read more

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Had an amazing experience at Sumibiyakitori Kidori for birthday celebration. The chicken yakitori omakase was seriously one of the best meals I've had in a while. Every skewer was perfectly grilled--juicy, flavorful, and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. The chef clearly knows what they're doing, and it shows in the timing and presentation of each course. Everything came out fresh and at the perfect pace, so you could actually enjoy each bite. It's a small spot, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Staff was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Definitely worth a try if you're into yakitori or just want a high-quality omakase experience. read more

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Came here on a weekend to celebrate a birthday and really enjoyed both the relaxing vibe and the skewers. It's a small yakitori spot with fewer than 30 seats, so reservations are highly recommended. They do allow walk-ins during certain hours, but based on how quickly it filled up, it seems unlikely you'll get seated without one. The space has a mix of tables and counter seating. Wherever you sit, you can watch the chefs grill each skewer. Before the meal starts, they ask about any dislikes or dietary restrictions, which was pretty nice! We went with the omakase (around $80 per person), which included appetizers, 10 skewers, a finishing dish, and dessert. It's a 2 hour experience! Parking: Free! The lot might fill up during peak hours because of the many food businesses in that area. It isn't too hard to find parking. Service: Friendly and quick throughout the meal. They checked up on us frequently, refilled our waters, and asked if we wanted anything else. Food: The appetizer was surprisingly one of the highlights. Really enjoyed the chicken pate. The chefs made full use of the chicken with some unique dishes I haven't seen at other yakitori spots, even compared to places in Japan. For skewers, the negima and chicken skin stood out to me. Most of them were nicely charred and flavorful. I did wish the zucchini and mushroom skewers in the omakase were swapped for more premium chicken cuts, but they did add a refreshing break between the chicken skewers. Overall: A solid spot for yakitori with a unique omakase experience. Definitely worth checking out if you're able to get a reservation. read more

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Small corner spot, where the restroom is next door Service is friendly and they're great at explaining anything if you have questions. You stay with the omakase and then the offer to add additional skewers if you need it. They also ask if you have any allergies or anything you won't eat. The food comes out fairly quickly and everything is delicious. It's just a few guys grilling and plating, and one server, but you never feel overlooked or rushed. read more

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This is a great place to dine at if you enjoy chicken and good vibes. The two main chefs are incredibly friendly and welcoming which elevates the overall experience. The starters were all good and fulfilled their jobs at cleansing your palate before the main. The skewers were all pretty tender and juicy while not being overly salty like some of the other yakitori places we've been to. Our personal favorites were the tail and meatball with an honorable mention to the zucchini+cheese one. The price was also pretty good at $80 (+18% service charge) for 10 skewers, starters, final dish, and dessert. The parking lot is shared between multiple businesses but we found parking pretty easy on a Saturday night. There's no bathroom in this particular restaurant but they will kindly guide you to one in the neighboring sushi restaurant. read more

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The first chicken yakitori spot that I've found in this area! The chicken omakase menu was really diverse, and you are able to try different parts of the chicken. They bring out the food in rounds for all the tables/bar seating, and some of the rounds were cold. I didn't like that the skewers were not always served warm because they were serving everyone at the same time. The omakase menu provided enough food that I left full. Note - they serve some chicken medium rare. It was so weird to eat medium rare chicken, but I didn't get sick! The waiters do ask if you're okay with medium rare, or they can cook it fully. read more

Sumibiyakitori Kidori - Chicken breast skewer - served medium rare unless you request fully cooked! - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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We've celebrated our 19th anniversary here last month. The food and service was top notch. The waiter was so sweet to take a Polaroid of us. If you like yakitori, it is a must try!! read more

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My friend's dad had tried this place out and said it was pretty good for a yakitori spot outside of Asia. I took the dineLA opportunity to try it out for $85 which essentially was a $5 any drink (If my math is right). I got a cold green tea and my wife got a yuzu sake. I loved the appetizers being chicken innards and guts. It was a nice start to eating all kinds of chicken parts. The liver pate was quite sweet before the iron taste kicked in. The skewers were truly some of the best skewers I've had in LA. I especially loved the chicken heart, chicken skin and chicken meatball. The last dish I chose a chicken ramen while my wife chose a oyakodon, and of course I had a bit of her's too. They were on the saltier side but strong flavor. The final dessert was a nice caramel pudding, great end to the meal. Overall, definitely the best yakitori in East LA and I'd say just slightly better than my regular favorite Nanbankan. The other upsides are the pacing and close proximity to where I live. I'll definitely be back. Glad to add another one of Yamato Miura's restaurants to my return list. read more

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We came for DineLA and reservations were at 745pm. It's a small place and everyone seated had the same seating time. Because everyone was seated at the same time, the service was a little slow at the beginning with even getting water. But once we placed our order, things were flowing. We upgraded to the full set for Dine LA $85 per person. It came with 3 appetizers, a drink, chawanmushi, liver pâté, 10 skewers, choice of rice or noodle, and dessert. I like that the drink choice is from their regular drink menu, which included Japanese beer or cocktails. All the skewers are cooked on the traditional grill and all the food was very tasty and tender. Service was very good and attentive. They constantly cleared plates and refilled my tea. read more

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There's currently have a dinela promo to try out ending in 2/6/26. You can get 6 skewers for $45 and it comes with 3 small apps and one beverage (some alcohol options included). My favs of the night were: - tsukune w/ ontama: I'm meh towards chicken meatballs in general because I just prefer eating dark meat as it is a lot more, but the egg here was amazing. Dipping into the yolk was fun and delicious and yes, I drank all that was left after. - innards: all the heart, gizzard and liver were flavorful and enjoyable - uzura smoked quail eggs: okay, so there might be a pattern of liking eggs here... but tbf, this is the first time I get to try a soft centered quail egg. Overall, sumibi was a place with cozy vibes and very friendly service. The experience of watching your food getting cooked is fun and it is more of a treat (won't be filling yourself up). read more

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Sumibiyakitori Kidori - Arcadia's Yakitori Gem $80 10-course omakase at the counter: pure binchotan magic. Chef Homma nails every skewer--crisp kawa, juicy negima, rare breast with yuzu kosho. That tsukune + onsen egg (photo) is a must-dip masterpiece. Ends strong: pick shoyu ramen, oyakodon (got it--perfect), or okayu. Yuzu sorbet caps it clean. Only gripe: no offal (liver, heart, gizzard). Great for beginners, but purists may miss the funk. Still a steal. Book via Tock. Already planning round two. read more

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this is the type of place you wanna go to when you just want an amazing experience in japanese yakitori. food was absolutely amazing and our servers were super accommodating. they typically are always booked out so i recommend planning ahead and making a reservation. they do omakase style then you can add after you finish. lots of unique cuts and dishes! this place is definitely on the high end of cost but worth the experience. read more

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I am always on the hunt for the best yakitori in the area because who doesn't enjoy indulging in a variety of grilled skewers? I tried the sushi omakase concept awhile back and this yakitori spot was just opening. Today I finally had the opportunity to try it and left overall disappointed. I think there are too many diners seated at once for there to only be one grill and chef attending the skewers. We started off with a plate holding a few small starter bites. A miso stewed innards, fried tofu, and ground chicken, followed by pate and toast. These first bites left a bad first impression as they felt like an afterthought. They were all pre plated and sitting out so they were cold and I could tell it had been sitting for some time. Same with the pate. The toast was crunchy but cold and it would've been nice to have warm toast with the pate. With the dining room set up there is a counter space along with several tables. In a quality yakitori spot, I expect quality well seasoned and well cooked meats. I don't think that's possible to achieve when trying to serve up to 20 people. Instead of each skewer being grilled and served straight onto the plate, I noticed most of them being cooked and set aside before getting finished then sent out to guests. I could taste in the final result as most of the chicken was overcooked and borderline dry. The temperature on some were also cooling down fast and arrived warm rather than piping hot off the grill. These are details I expect in a yakitori omakase and weren't met. There wasn't really any skewer where I was wowed by and thought I had to order another. They have several condiments and seasonings on the side such as togarashi, sansho pepper, salt, mustard, ginger scallion, and yuzu kosho. They never explained how to pair the seasoning with each skewer to enhance the experience. Service was nice but definitely felt rushed and inexperienced from what I expect at a Japanese omakase. The service didn't feel intentional and the whole time felt like a race to finish service so they could clean up and set up for their next turn. As someone working in the industry and is lucky enough to have dined at several omakase, these are some details I feel needs improvement. read more

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Check out Sumibiyakitori Kidori for a unique yakitori omakase experience tucked right in Arcadia next to their sister restaurant, Sushi Kisen. For $80, you're taken through a beautifully curated meal with appetizers, 10 skewers, and dessert--all served fresh off the grill, one by one. The setting is incredibly intimate, with just two seatings a night (5pm and 7:30pm). They also offer a selection of condiments like yuzu kosho, fresh ginger with green onion, and Japanese mustard. At the end, you get to choose how you want to finish your meal--porridge, oyakodon, chicken ramen, or soboro-don. We also added a few extras at the end (chicken cartilage, skin, okra, and nagaimo or mountain yam). The surprise favorite was definitely the mountain yam. They're also really thoughtful about your preferences and will ask ahead of time if you're open to organ meats like heart, liver, or gizzard (and can easily swap if not). Overall, such a memorable experience that I highly recommend!! read more

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Bought a friend here for her birthday and it did not disappoint. I am a fan of the Sushi Kisen group and I've been wanting to try this yakitori place since they opened. It's omakase menu only and you can add on additional skewers and dishes on top of that. The yakitori place is centered around chicken and showcase different parts of it. Every dish is prepared with care and precision and I can taste it. The restaurant is really small and hiding behind the curtain right next to Sushi Kisen. The Japanese vibe is on point. The service is great. I will be back when there is a special occasion next time. read more

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This place is truly a treat. Since my appetite has decreased quite a bit, I've shifted to eating quality over quantity--and once I found this spot, I felt like it was the perfect match for me. First things first: you'll need to make a reservation on Tock (which I had never heard of before). A credit card is required, and there's an $80 no-show fee. I used to think it was hard to book, but that doesn't seem to be the case now. If you can't find it on the Tock app, just Google the restaurant and click "Reserve a Table." Yelp mentions "validated parking," but in reality, it's free parking in the same plaza as JJ Bakery and Sushi Kisen. The restaurant is actually right next to Kisen, behind a green curtain covering the entrance. Inside is minimalistic, with around 15 seats total--so it can feel a little tight if the room is full. I was originally seated next to a party of three, but the staff kindly moved me over to give me more space, which I really appreciated. It's a yakitori omakase experience, and after the initial course finishes, you're offered the option to add extras. I went for an additional chicken liver pâté (for the iron boost) and a chicken skewer--because I really liked how slightly raw the inside was prepared. The service was excellent--maybe even a little too attentive for someone who just wants a quiet meal. I had my ANC (active noise canceling) on to mute nearby conversation, but had to take it off a few times to hear what the waiter was saying. In the end, it was a great experience. They let me know that service charge was already included, which I appreciated--otherwise, I might not have noticed. The space is also so small, I overheard if you need to use the restaurant go to their sister restaurant next-door Definitely a hidden gem to bring someone special when you want to treat them. read more

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I was surprised to find a chicken yakitori place so local to us and so good! We made a reservation online for the omakase meal for my boyfriend's birthday. We arrived a bit early but we were seated on the dot. The entire omakase was 10 items plus appetizers and dessert and one main dish. We selected the ramen and the rice bowl. The omakase was worth it and a very good experience! My favorite was the chicken heart and ramen. The ramen soup was clean and not oily! We will definitely come back. read more

We walked in on a random Tuesday expecting a typically a la carte skewer place but it ended up being omakase only. We were lucky enough to be given a table in the corner even though we didn't make a reservation. It was 3 appetizers, 10 skewers, a final dish and a dessert. It's an interesting little place and the service was amazing. Food was bomb, my favorites had to be chicken neck, chicken thigh, and the ramen at the read more

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Made a reservation to try out this hidden gem ~ the moment you walked in thru the blind, it makes you feel like you transformed into Japan the smell of the charcoal, the ambiance with the soft wooden color. Calms you down the moment you sit down, ready to start the food adventure the full experience is amazing Richard and Lucy are so attentive and makes you feel right at home :) thank you~~~ Reservation are omakase only but a la carte items can be add-on if you see anything else that sparks your interest if you're around the area, can always pop by to see if they have any openings for walk-in and order a la carte as you please ~ Chef Riichi keeps pumping out these delicious skewers one by one ~ each one uniquely flavored so they don't all taste the same and makes you anxiously anticipating for the next *shhh~ I heard chef Riichi is also quite a sommelier so don't hesitate to ask for recommendations to match the yakitori * Highly recommend to give it a try read more

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Great limited room space, reserve first; make it very intimated experience for us. Friendly service and well explained on every dish, since we picked omakase. Majority are chicken meat, cooked very tender and tasty. read more

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It's a cute little hidden gem tucked in a small shopping center. Reservation is done via tock and there's usually two seatings a night. If you are seated on the counter, you can see the chefs preparing the skewers. Before you start the meal, they will ill ask you if you have any particular parts of the chicken you would like to skip. Overall great service and reasonable price point. read more

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Wow, what a five star experience all around! We were celebrating a birthday, and this meal was absolutely delightful. Everything was masterfully cooked to perfection. My favorite dishes were the chicken ramen (ending dish) and the chicken heart! Everything tasted extremely fresh and so naturally flavorful. I can't recommend this place enough. Our servers, Lucy and JT, were great. The chefs were phenomenal. So much skill in their art! The space was very relaxing and quaint. read more

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Sumibiyakitori Kidori -- Not Worth It Visited recently and got the two omakase. The place was empty when we arrived, yet they made us feel unwelcome from the start -- no offer to sit, and it felt heavily implied that omakase was required to get a table rather than just asking us outright what we wanted. The waiter was friendly enough, so I have no real complaint about service. But the food was mediocre at best -- nowhere near the quality you'd expect for $221.67. On top of that, they added an 18% gratuity for a party of two with zero heads-up. Every other restaurant I've been to gives you that disclosure upfront. Finding it on the bill was a frustrating surprise. I came in expecting at least above-average yakitori. What we got was deeply disappointing. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for quality omakase. Save your money. read more

The ramen has very little broth and the noodles tastes like top ramen. The only item that was good was the skewers, a bit pricey but it was good to try. The service was also not good. read more

Called in and lucked into a last minute opening at this 15 seat yakitori. They were celebrating an anniversary so I took advantage of their anniversary omakase menu. Food was terrific from start to finish. You could also tell the owners thought very carefully about the interior of the space as it exuded a classy yet traditional vibe. Would definitely recommend to anyone seeking expertly charcoal cooked skewers read more

Sumibiyakitori Kidori - Anniversary omakase - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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This place is yummy!. So grateful to have found this yakitori restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley. I love all their skewers, every single one of them were cooked to perfection. Chicken wings were so tasty, and the chicken skin was to die for. The ramen at the end was delicious. Very attentive service. Will definitely come back for more! read more

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I was so excited to come here as I enjoy yakitori regularly, but it turned out to be the worst and ruined my Friday which is also my day off in the week. Kidori is still in their soft opening, but they are almost fully booked for the whole month. Owned by the same owners as Sushi Kisen, Izakaya Tonchinkan, and etc., I had high hopes. Yakitori in general was a little too seasoned for my liking. I usually go to Torigoya in Little Tokyo, and it was obvious that I found myself comparing. In general, they were not bad, but for the price, which is only $80 per person for 10, it is a cheaper option. You do have a choice to add anything à la carte near the end of your meal. It seems like you can order as many times as you wish, but I could be wrong, whereas some places, like Kono (NY), once you add anything à la carte, you cannot add more later. Anyway, my boyfriend and I ordered a few more that we tried and didn't try, along with Oyakodon and Tori Soba, which is chicken ramen. Oyakodon was flavorless, not worth ordering, but Tori Soba was surprisingly good. I always get this from Torigoya too, and I liked it here slightly more. Then here comes the nightmare. We got our pudding at the very end, and as I was eating it, something felt weird. At first I thought it could be hardened sugar from the bottom of the jar, but it did not melt in the mouth. So I got it out, and it was a big piece of steel wool or metal scrubber!!! Oh my, what the heck? Swallowing this could possibly damage your esophagus and other organs in your body. It's very serious! My throat feels super itchy, and I don't know if it is psychological or if I might have swallowed a small piece I didn't notice. Who knows! If I get sick soon, I think I definitely know why. Yes, they apologized and took off our drinks (green tea & beer) off the bill along with the 10% discount, but does this mean anything? I am still very shocked by what I encountered, and I cannot get over this. I WILL NOT BE BACK. EVER. I AM NOT EVEN SORRY FOR SAYING THIS. IT IS WHAT IT IS. read more

Sumibiyakitori Kidori - THE pudding - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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Came here for dinner. It's an omakase menu, but you can also do a la carte, but you get more for your $$ with omakase. Everything was really good - the standouts were the liver pate, chicken hearts, chicken tail, chicken wings, chicken cartilage, steamed egg, chicken thigh, quail eggs, chicken meatball w/ poached egg, shitaake mushrooms -- like I said, pretty much everything was good. The peppers were too spicy for us, so we passed on that. The dessert was good too - the flan, but especially the lychee sorbet. The service was friendly, and the pacing was good -- expect to be there for about 90 minutes. The only weird thing was that they don't have a restroom - you need to go next door to Sushi Kisen, which is going to be fine most days, but would probably suck on rainy days. Overall, I think this is a great option, and the omakase style is cool. If you go, download the Sushi Kisen app because you can earn points dining here as well. read more

Sumibiyakitori Kidori - They said they change it seasonally. - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I've always wanted to try this Yakitori place since it's soft opening. This is another restaurant owned by Chef Yamato-San. Tonight we were so lucky to get the best seating for photo shooting as well as keeping an eye on the food preparation. Chef Homma is professionally meticulous while shy and thoughtful. The followings are the EXCEPTIONAL dishes I was gladly impressed: - Liver pâté - Japanese ginna: Ginko nuts - Cherry tomato - Uzura: Smoked quail eggs - Katsu: Chicken hearts - Tsukune w/ ontama: Chicken meatballs with hot spring egg (溫玉) We ordered the omakase, which only costs $80 including 10 Yakitori skewers, appetizer, salad, the liver pate, and one rice dish (of the value of $15 itself) and scrumptious dessert! What a great meal with exceptional Yakitori technique and services. There are only 10 spots for each seating. I thought there would be more interactions or dynamic among guests. Personally, I would wish that everyone starts at the same time to have more synchronized pace enjoying the courses throughout the meal. But it's also fine that each party has their own privacy and pace to appreciate the fine dining. Overall, an excellent choice to go for a special occasion or spend a casual night with a foodie friend. The price is unbelievably GOOD and worthy. Taste wise, I appreciate that nothing is over-seasoned or dully brushed with the same Yakitori sauce. Instead, Chef Homma presents the unpretentious flavors of "Tori" and tops off with his individual style of "Umami." I would be pleased to go back again if I can secure another reservation! Arigato. Go chi sou sama de shi ta. read more

We've been to all 3 Sushi Kisen restaurants so when we heard that Sumibiyakitori Kidori was opening, we knew we needed to try it as well. Like their other restaurants, as soon as you walk in, you see their beautiful space and you're warmly greeted by their servers. We had the pleasure of having Richard as our server and he made the experience even more special. Sumibi Yakitori Kidori is an excellent yakitori restaurant. The chef grills skewers over genuine Binchotan charcoal which makes each skewers the perfect bite. They're currently in their soft opening, so they're only offering Omakase - "Chef's choice" features 10 skewers. From the Omakase, we had chicken pate, salad, wings, appetizers, mountain yam, Ginkgo nut, tender, chicken breast, chicken thighs, quail eggs, tomato, tsukune w/ ontama, oyakodon, porridge, and ended with their complimentary egg custard. We also added chicken oyster, gizzard, liver, and knee cartilage that was off menu, which was really good as well. Our favorites were tsukune w/ ontama, liver, gizzards, quail eggs, and the comforting porridge. If you're in the mood for yakitori, this place is definitely worth the drive and the price. Love that it's in our neighborhood. Definitely a little gem! read more

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Kidori means "panache". It's Panache in a flash once the food gets grillin' and thrillin'. Kidori shares ownership and bathrooms with Sushi Kisen next door. (Also worth a visit for dinner). I guess they are Kisen Cousins. This gem is so hidden it's almost forbidden. 11 seats angle around a grill. Tokyo Diner was larger. Binchotan is flown in from Japan. This charcoal is 95% Carbon, so bounce that off your Cardiologist, but it does sound more panachey, no? It burns slower and hotter than a Prom date. The Decor: A grill. Ernesto Cortazar soflty tinkles the keys for mood while the two Itamae prep your food. There is a serious Sake List. Taenochana (Sublime Beauty) will have you less serious until you hit the Sobriety Check. It was dry going in and sweet at the end. Sounds like my parents marriage in reverse. You need a $1,000 bottle of D. P.? Just ask. The Food: Winner, winner, Chicken Dinner, because that's about all they serve. Here, the Chicken was peckin' and scratchin' while you left the house and rollin' on the grill when you get there. You will be treated to an Omakase for 10 rounds (currently $80 worth) including things you didn't think a Chicken had and only a Tom Cat would eat, but, don't be chicken, as it's all spectacular and delicious. Yakitori (Grilled Chicken) is usually meant to be a tag along for booze. Not here. Here, the Chicken is the star and rightfully so. So, don't be a putz...have the guts, they're fabulous. An appetizer Amuse Bouche was a little cup of poached Gizzards in Miso Soup, two little Pickled Cucumbers spooning under a blanket of Katsuobushi (Bonito Flakes) and two tiny Duck Breasts sporting a Wasabi Dot. Do not turn the plate around like I did as the server will politely return it to it's original placement. Don't give him the bird as like many things in Japan there is an order to it for a reason. "Guts to Gizzards please", said the Server with a smile. Fine, it's a journey we'll all happily take properly. There was no mystery chew. No Reebok Tongues or Sweatbands to hide under a Shiso Leaf. Everything was plastic spoon tender and absolutely wonderful. Ask for the Yozukoshi (Chili Sauce). This will ensure your Chicken guts will make you nuts with joy. A Small Salad with Green Onion Dressing with a distant call of heat appeared. Micro greens and Pearl sized Tomatoes. Okay, palate cleansed like a colonic for your lips if you'll permit the reference. Next, it was the march of the skewers. Sasami Chicken Tenders with Wasabi. Raising Canes...eat your heart out. Sunagimo (Gizzards) slightly more chew than the stewed ones (Amuse Bouche) but just as delightful. Blizzards of Gizzards makes me a happy Chappy. Ginko Nuts right off the Grill should've topped the Bill. Better than any old Chestnut. Chicken Liver Pate was as dense as Spackling Paste but would be welcome at any Sedar Dinner or Mah Jongg Game. Succulent Chicken Breasts wrapped in Skin belongs on the Poultry Porn Hub. Succulent Chicken Thighs wrapped in Skin came next and both offerings together described the USC Cheerleader Squad. Zucchini with Shredded Cheddar was charred and feathered and a perfect crunchy munchie. The highwater mark for me was the Quail Eggs which showcased the kitchen's skill. Smoked and then steamed over Apple Juice vapor with a jammy yolk was truly bliss on a stick. A Chicken Wing nestled in a pool of Raw Egg Yolk and Poached Yolk returned my Eggcitement for this specific cuisine. Chicken Liver Nuggets could sell by the buggets. Move over KFC, the Big Liver is on the Porch. Chicken Meatballs and Kebabs followed close behind, kept pace, and secured a place in my heart. Chicken Rice was a dynamite Fridge clean out and could have been the whole meal and made me slap my tummy with gusto. The entire Omakase will rip a Vegan right off the Veggie Wagon and none will ever look back. Soup, sadly signifies the end of the adventure. The Tori Soba (Chicken Noodle Soup) was truly divine. Slurp, burp and chirp like satiated bird. Finally, I tapped out. A mini cup of Flan appeared and I ate that too. Wouldn't you? Kidori is not for the birds, so don't be Chicken to try it. Fly there now. read more

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My wife and I came here over the weekend after she managed to snag a reservation (not easy given the limited seatings and Instagram hype). She was really excited to try it, and I went in with high expectations. Overall, I'd say I left feeling just... whelmed. Not blown away, but not completely disappointed either. At $80 per person, the experience felt reasonably priced for the number of courses, especially since you get to choose a finishing dish like chicken broth ramen or soboro don. Some items definitely stood out--the quail egg skewers were excellent, the cartilage had great texture, and the meatball with poached egg (their signature) was a highlight. That said, a good portion of the skewers didn't feel particularly special. The okra and mushroom skewers were forgettable, and several of the chicken skewers tasted pretty standard--not noticeably better than what you'd find at other yakitori spots. One chicken skewer was even served medium rare, which I didn't care for. What really bothered me, though, was the nickel-and-diming. We asked for extra negishio (scallion/green onion sauce), and they brought out what was maybe a teaspoon--without mentioning it would cost extra. Charging for extra sauce is one thing, but $3 for that amount felt excessive. Also worth noting: there's an automatic 18% service charge added to the bill, which is fair--but they explicitly tell you it's not a tip and that additional tipping is optional. That felt a bit disingenuous.. All in all, I'd give it 3 stars. It's worth trying once for the experience, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come back--there are other yakitori spots that offer similar (or better) quality without the added friction. read more